Prior the Christmas trees being put away for another year, Indian automakers started to reveal their 2023 sales figures. All things considered, it was an amazing year for all parties; luxury manufacturers in particular enjoyed a record-breaking year in terms of sales. To provide you with all the information you want and to determine who fared best overall, we went over all of the sales data.
Mercedes-Benz came in first.
Mercedes-Benz India emerged victorious, recording an incredible 17,408 units in their finest year ever, resulting in a ten percent increase over 2022. Their SUV portfolio, which accounted for 55% of total sales, was especially robust, helped by the introduction of the new GLC and the upgraded GLE as well as the GLA and GLS. Mercedes-Benz’s sedan portfolio, which still includes the E-Class LWB as its best-selling model, contributed the remaining 45%.Additionally, Mercedes-Benz sold three times as many BEVs in 2023 as it did in 2022; these vehicles made up around 4% of overall sales (SUV and sedan combined).
Mercedes-Benz India isn’t letting up this year; 12 new releases, including 3 BEVs and a number of high-end cars, are scheduled for 2024. Additionally, this year there are plans to open twenty new workshops and establish a presence in ten new locations.Additionally, Mercedes-Benz has disclosed an investment of Rs 200 crore towards the digitalization of production processes, new product start-ups, and manufacturing operations.
BMW came in second.
BMW India comes in second place quite closely, with YoY increase of 18% and 13,303 sales.With the BMW 7 Series taking up the Premium Car of the Year title at the esteemed Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY), BMW closed the year on a high note. Sales of the BMW Luxury Class, which includes the 7 Series, i7, X7, and XM, increased by an astounding 88% YoY, demonstrating the class’s success. BMW’s BEV sales saw a three-fold increase in 2018, totaling 1,475 vehicles. For the second year in a row, the BMW iX continues to be India’s best-selling premium electric vehicle.
In 2023, BMW Motorrad India and its subsidiary MINI both saw notable growth. MINI recorded a 22% year-over-year rise in sales, totaling 869 vehicles. Fifty-five percent of the sales were made up of the locally produced MINI Countryman, while the MINI Cooper SE emerged as the best-selling premium electric hatchback in India. BMW Motorrad reported 8,768 units sold, a 20% YoY increase. Impressive considering the increased competition from KTM and the recently released Triumph 400 twins, the BMW G 310 models had a 19% gain.
Third position: Audi
Audi India saw a staggering 89% rise in 2023, selling 7,931 cars overall—its highest level since 2015. The introduction of the Audi Q3 Sportback, Audi Q8 e-tron, and Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron this year all played a significant role in this tremendous success. With 25 shops around the country, Audi Approved: Plus, the company’s used car sector, expanded by 64%. Audi asserts that a quarter of its clientele are returning clients, indicating the brand’s popularity in India.
Additionally, Audi India introduced customer-focused initiatives like the myAudiConnect app’s “ChargeMyAudi” function, which lets users locate charging stations from a variety of charging partners. With a 450kW overall capacity, the German company also inaugurated Mumbai’s first ultra-fast charging station in India.
Fourth: JLR India
It is noteworthy that Jaguar Land Rover India has sold 3,582 vehicles and seen a 93% YoY rise, even though these figures only cover the previous nine months.While most manufacturers base their calculations on the calendar year, JLR uses the financial year method.Range Rover had an astounding 250% rise, whilst the Defender only saw a 15% increase. In the third quarter of 2023, there was also an increase of 183% for the recently debuted 2024 Range Rover Velar.
By 2039, JLR also hopes to be carbon neutral thanks to the development of all-electric variants of the Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery. The Jaguar lineup will likewise transition to all-electric vehicles; however, information on sales of the existing lineup is unavailable.
In 2023, the Indian automobile industry had a significant surge due to heightened demand and several new vehicle introductions. Manufacturers were also better able to meet demand after overcoming supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. If things continue as they are, 2024 looks like it will be even better.
